Tisha B'Av 2023/5783
Wednesday, July 26 - Thursday, July 27
Join Rabbi Rein and Hazzan Dienstfrey for this day of communal mourning as we recount the various tragedies that our people have faced throughout the centuries. Eicha, the Book of Lamentations, will be read on what is widely regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish year.
Tisha B'Av Service Schedule
Wednesday, July 26 - Erev Tisha B'Av
- 8 p.m. | Study, Ma'ariv, and Eicha - Follow along in Megillah Eicha (Lamentations)
Thursday, July 27 - Tisha B'Av
- 7:30 a.m. | Shacharit Minyan - Kinot for the 9th of Av
- 7:30 p.m. | Mincha & Ma'ariv Serivce in the Flax Family Chapel - Remember to bring your tallit and tefillin if you have them!
All services will be in person and accessible using the Weekday Minyan Zoom link. Members can access the Zoom link by logging into their ShulCloud account and visiting the Virtual Worship page. Those who are not members of Agudas Achim but would like to join us virtually are welcome to do so, we ask that you please contact Adrian Marcos for assistance.
About Tisha B'Av
Tisha B'Av (the ninth of Av) is the major day of communal mourning that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Over time, the day has come to recall other major calamities that have occurred throughout Jewish history, such as the expulsions from England (1290), France (1306), and Spain (1492); and the mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to Treblinka (1942), that took place on or around the 9th of Av.
Tisha B'Av is considered a "major fast" day. Unlike minor fast days whose fasts last from sunrise to night fall, major fast days are observed for 25 hours (sunset to night fall the next day). Major fast days also have additional restrictions: in addition to refraining from food and drink, one is to prohibited to bathe, apply cosmetics, engage in sexual relations, or wear leather shoes. These restrictions can be waived in the case of serious health issues by a rabbi*.
Since Tisha B'Av is a day of mourning, one is forbidden to partake in enjoyable activities. As a result, rather than study Torah (which is considered to be an enjoyable activity), Jews around the world study distressing texts such as Eicha (the book of Lamentations), Job, portions of Jeremiah, and chapters of the Talmud that discuss the laws of mourning and those that discuss the destruction of the Temple.
*Please consult Rabbi Rein or your local halachic authority with questions regarding the permissibility of your ability to fast if you have health issues.
Resources for creating a meaningful observance
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Tisha B'Av FAQ from MyJewishLearning
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Tisha B'Av Information and Resources, courtesy of the Lookstein Center at Bar Ilan University
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Tisha B'Av Prayer Resources, courtesy of Hadar
Wed, April 24 2024 16 Nisan 5784
